Lionel Richie tops charts again, seriously

Last week was no fluke: Lionel Richie tops the Billboard 200 again this week with his album “Tuskegee,” which sold 114,000 copies its fourth week in stores, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The pop veteran can now feel vindicated, as many believed he deserved to earn a No. 1 album over Madonna’s “MDNA,” which is falling down the charts fast. “MDNA” debuted at No. 1 last month thanks in large part to a promotion where album sales were bundled with tickets to the pop superstar’s upcoming concert tour, but Richie’s repeat at No. 1 gives him a moral victory over “MDNA.”

Richie also danced on the ceiling all over the face of Jason Mraz, who could only manage a No. 2 debut with his latest, “Love is a Four Letter Word.” Yeah, we bet he uttered some four letter words when he found out he was schooled by Richie on the charts.

Adele’s “21″ follows at No. 3, while Train’s latest and One Direction round out the top five. Nicki Minaj, who debuted at No. 1 two weeks ago, falls to No. 6, while “Magic” rapper Future debuts at No. 8 with his debut set, “Pluto.”

Billboard’s Top 10 albums (sales in parentheses, figures according to Nielsen SoundScan)

1. Lionel Richie, Tuskegee (114,000)

2. Jason Mraz, Love is a Four Letter Word (102,000)

3. Adele, 21 (90,000)

4. Train, California 37 (76,000)

5. One Direction, Up All Night (55,000)

6. Nicki Minaj, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded (48,000)

7. Gotye, Making Mirrors (44,000)

8. Future, Pluto (41,000)

9. Bonnie Raitt, Slipstream (35,000)

10. Luke Bryan, Tailgates & Tanlines (28,000)